At Price Chopper and Market 32, we know one thing – making sure we have the best quality foods in our own brands brings value and enjoyment to our customers and communities. In business over 80 years, we also know that working with our local agricultural producers is a great way to deliver on that promise, and our PICS long process, naturally aged, award winning cheddar is a great example.   Did you know – the most popular cheese in America is cheddar? This spring, with friends from the American Dairy Association Northeast, I visited the cheese makers that create this wonderful cheese, and saw firsthand how hard they work to make it. We partner with Great Lakes Cheese Company, located in Adams, NY, in the heart of New York dairy country. They have been here over 40 years, and are committed to the New York North Country, so much so that they doubled production capacity in 2009. Experts that have crafted their process over time, they make several types here – mild, sharp, and extra sharp New York cheddar cheese to name a few. They also process the whey portion as part of sustainability efforts and for new product ingredient markets.   John Jennings, Plant Manager for over 40 years, and Nathan Pistner, Assistant Plant Manager, were proud to show us the inner workings of this modern facility, and most proud of their 122 employees. There is a lot of workmanship in this cheese – over 300 years of combined expertise on first shift alone!   By the numbers, they receive 2,500,000 pounds of high quality milk from local dairy farms like Murcrest Farms per day, which becomes over 87 million pounds of cheese per year. (Cheese heaven?!) The farms they work with must meet high standards for cow care. Like the farms, this is a 24- hour, 365 days per year operation – cows don’t take any days off. They use natural ingredients, and move the cheese through the process using air, to protect the curd integrity and texture. These steps ensure a premium, reliable, delicious cheese on your table every time! The tour showed us all of the work and time that goes into making this cheddar – there are quality tests built into every step, and they continue throughout the entire year of aging. Once they have the cheese in production, and process the whey, they turn the remaining liquid back into clean water that helps keep the plant clean – another sustainability process they are very committed to. Tradition and technology are part of making sure they are serving their own communities and partners well. You will be sure to enjoy these wonderful cheddars, as a great snack, or as part of a new recipe – check out the links below for some delicious ideas! https://www.pricechopper.com/recipes/7865/Jalapeno-Cheddar-Cheese-Corn-Muffins https://www.pricechopper.com/recipes/14338/Mini-Apple-Pies-with-Cheddar https://www.pricechopper.com/recipes/10988/Cheddar-Stuffed-Mini-Meatloaves-with-Chipotle-Glaze  – this would be a great stuffed burger, too! — Ellie Wilson, MS, RDN Senior Nutritionist   Looking for a new way to eat healthy, but enjoy great flavor and tastes all at the same time? Consider Jonathan’s Sprouts. Since 1976, Jonathan’s has been at the forefront of the sprout industry. Working closely with the FDA since the 1990’s, the company has been focused on developing and implementing safe growing protocols. Many aren’t aware of the great benefits of sprouts. They can be added to almost any recipe, making every dish healthier and greener. However, sprouts are more than just a healthy option, they are also great for adding an extra kick of flavor and freshness to your meal. Don’t believe us? Drop a handful of bean sprouts or alfalfa sprouts on your turkey sandwich and your doubt will disappear! If it’s grown here, we get it from here: we are proud to team up with Jonathan’s Sprouts in Eastern Massachusetts, and other local sprout growers like them! At their farm in Rochester, MA, the Jonathan’s team grows a number of different sprouts ranging from broccoli sprouts to pea sprouts, and many more. They even have a secret ingredient to make their product such a success, pure, clean water! Interested in giving Jonathan’s a try? Check out their recipe page below for new ways to enhance your food with sprouts! http://www.jonathanssprouts.com/recipes/ Written by Jane Golub Director In-Store Marketing Programs June 18, 2017

NEW CRACKER BARREL OVEN BAKED

New Cracker Barrel Oven Baked is a premium sharp cheddar macaroni & cheese baked in your own oven. It provides everything you need to make your ideal, home style macaroni and cheese – Award-winning Cracker Barrel cheese, a blended spice mix and toasted breadcrumbs. New Cracker Barrel Oven Baked is available in three amazing flavors: Sharp Cheddar, White Cheddar with Black Pepper and Cheddar Havarti   with Garlic and Chives. Look for New Cracker Barrel Oven Baked in the Mac & Cheese section of your Price Chopper/Market32 store. June is Dairy Month, and we know how to help you celebrate it! Dairy products like milk, cheese and yogurt are full of flavor and can be enjoyed in so many fun ways. Look throughout our stores– our specialty cheese section is second to none, we work with local farms, artisans and processors across New York and New England, and we source the best dairy for our own PICS and Price Chopper brand products. Your family can enjoy all of the great taste and health benefits dairy brings to your table! At Price Chopper and Market 32, cheese leads the charge, with Cabot and Kraft bringing out some great products this month. Grilled cheese can be a go-to for busy family nights and Friday night gatherings with friends – how about Cabot Alpine Cheddar with Portobello mushrooms on grilled sourdough bread? Kraft wrapped Singles are snacks on the move with crackers and apple slices before a spring evening softball game, followed by chocolate milk as a recovery drink for players large and small! We will also be participating in the Great American Milk Drive, (https://www.pricechopper.com/community/community-calendar) which helps get milk to families that are struggling and need a “nutrition” helping hand. Look for information at the register to learn how you can share the bounty with your community. Speaking of family, did you know dairy farming is a family affair – 97% of dairy farms nationwide are family owned and operated. In New York, dairy is the leading agricultural product, with over 50% of agricultural receipts. New England and Pennsylvania are also leaders in dairy production – this means all of our milk is local. Dairy is also a nutrient powerhouse -in the United States, dairy is the number one source of Vitamin D, calcium and potassium – all crucial to good health. These dairy numbers add up in the right direction! You can learn more about one of our dairy farm families here on the blog – I visited Murcrest Farm in Copenhagen, NY on May 19^th and then followed the milk from farm to fork with our own delicious PICS naturally aged cheddar cheese. Check the cheese and dairy case for those award winning items! Don’t forget the yogurt -great in recipes or on its own, we have so many choices! Check out the new whole milk yogurts – thick and creamy, they are wonderful, and current nutrition science has shown they have a role in a healthy diet.  Finally, enjoy the great variety of ice cream treats – look for PICS premium ice cream flavors, on sale this summer to help you celebrate or savor a few cool moments for yourself. Enjoy delicious dairy all month long! — Ellie Wilson, MS, RDN  Senior Nutritionist   Written by Jane Golub Director In-Store Marketing Programs June 11, 2017

DOVE SHOWER FOAM

Dove Shower Foam gives you light and airy foam – and lots of it – more than 250 pumps in one bottle. Transform your shower with Dove Shower Foam for clean, smooth skin in three easy steps.  Here are the easy-to-use directions:

1. Press the pump

2. Spread the soft lather

3. Enjoy a quick rinse

You can find Dove Foam bath items in the Personal Care aisle at your local Price Chopper/Market32 store! World Ocean’s Day is June 8^th and Price Chopper is celebrating with our Seafood Switch Campaign. Our brand is proud to support companies such as Anova, leading the Fair Trade initiative in seafood. Anova is a champion in sustainability and social responsibility providing the highest quality product to their customers on a consistent basis. Anova has successfully earned SA8000 certification, a true testament to their commitments. Anova’s Fair Trade Certified yellowfin tuna has remained successful, responsible for over $200k of Fair Trade premium being given back to fisherman and their communities. Price Chopper is proud to be a dedicated customer of the Fair Trade program. Yellowfin tuna are commonly found in tropical regions of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. Luckily, the tuna population grows quickly, therefore fishing does not hurt their numbers. The Fair Trade certified Yellowfin Tuna are caught by artisanal fisherman using hand lines from small panga boats. Hand line tuna fishing is the most responsible harvesting method as you can only catch one tuna at a time, there is no by-catch and minimal impact on the environment. Between its healthy population and low-impact fishing method, artisanal hand line caught, Fair Trade certified yellowfin tuna is a great catch!

  Did you know, the easiest way to upgrade the nutrition in any meal is to add a glass of milk? We are partnering with Feeding America to ensure children in our communities can enjoy the cool benefits of milk all summer!   From June 1-30, we will join The Great American Milk Drive Promotion, as part of a national campaign, to help families served by Feeding America food banks! Summer is about fun and freedom – and to most kids, it means months filled with playing in the sun, swimming at the lake or baseball in the park. However, more than 22 million children lose access to free or reduced-price meal programs when school lets out.  For many children in need, even basic staples like milk – and the nutrients like protein that help power the simple joys of summer – are missing. Thank you for helping get milk to those who may miss it the most.   We are making it super-easy – you can participate with either a $1 or $5 donation at checkout. Corporately, we’ll match all donations, up to $10,000! Then we will turn your donation into gallons of milk for children in need right in your community. In 2016, our generous customers helped us bring $35,000 worth of milk donations to food banks in all 6 of the states we serve. Join us, and feed a childhood with wholesome, local milk!   — Written by Ellie Wilson, MS, RDN     Written by Jane Golub Director In-Store Marketing Programs June 4, 2017

GROWN IN IDAHO POTATOES

Great potatoes make great fries! Genuine top-quality and naturally delicious Idaho Potatoes are some of the best premium spuds in the United States.  So why are Idaho Potatoes so good?  Idaho’s growing season of warm days and cool nights, ample mountain-fed irrigation and rich volcanic soil give Idaho Potatoes their unique texture and wonderful flavor. Grown in Idaho Potatoes have used certified Idaho Potatoes to make these delicious skin-on super crispy fries.  Enjoy a bite or three and relish in the crispy texture and great flavor of the iconic Idaho spud. Look for the NEW Grown in Idaho Potatoes in the Frozen aisle. The start of June is upon us and summer is officially right around the corner! That means fresh, new seasonal beers are needed to help you enjoy the warm weather. Don’t worry, we have you covered! We are excited to invite you to visit the Growler Station, stop by and find yourself some new, refreshing favorites!   Join us for a tasting of the following beers to bring home with you this summer!   June 2^nd & 3^rd Back in 2013, Ommegang Brewery and HBO joined together to create a series of beers inspired by the Game of Thrones television series. Since then, they have released eight different installments including, Ommegang Seven Kingdoms Hoppy Wheat Ale, Three Eyed Raven, and most recently Ommegang Bend the Knee. Bend the Knee is a golden ale, with a 9% alcohol by volume rate. It features a mix of citrus flavor and maltiness, a result of the heavy amount of hops. If you’re a fan of the show, come show your Game of Thrones pride at the nearest growler station! Sample and enjoy this beer at our Growler Stations the following days:

• June 2 ◦Shopper’s World Market 32 (#112): 4-6 p.m.

◦Malta (#184):  4-6 p.m.

• June 3 ◦Wilton Market 32 (#039): 2-4 p.m.

◦Market Bistro (#138): 2-4 p.m. ◦Saratoga Springs (#158): 4:30-6:30 p.m. ◦Bethlehem (#159):  4:30-6:30 p.m.     June 9^th & 10^th Saranac Strawberry Tart is the perfect refreshment for a hot summer day. Brewed by Matt Brewing Company / Saranac Brewery, this beer offers a satisfying strawberry taste at the start with a strong tartness at the finish. Saranac Strawberry Tart provides an easy drinking experience with a smooth finish, perfect for staying cool all season long. Sample and enjoy this beer at our Growler Stations the following days:

• June 9 ◦Wilton Market 32 (#39): 4-6 p.m.

◦Saratoga Springs (#158):  4-6 p.m. ◦Market Bistro (#138):  4:30-6:30 p.m.

• June 10 ◦Bethlehem (#159): 12-2 p.m.

◦Shopper’s World Market 32 (#112): 3-5 p.m. ◦Malta (#184): 3-5 p.m.     June 16^th & 17^th Bronx Summer Ale is a light, easy to drink beverage perfect for the pool, beach, house, or wherever you choose to spend your summer. Brewed with citrus hops and dried lemon peel Bronx Summer is a serious splash of refreshment. Bronx Brewery wanted to create a beverage that could stand out amongst other summer time beers, and with its strong lemon flavor, their signature Summer Ale does exactly that. Sample and enjoy this beer at our Growler Stations the following days:

• June 16 ◦Bethlehem (#159): 4-7 p.m.

◦Malta (#184):  4-7 p.m.

• June 17 ◦Wilton Market 32 (#39): 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

◦Shopper’s World Market 32 (#112): 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. ◦Saratoga Springs (#158): 2-4 p.m. ◦Market Bistro (#138): 2-4 p.m.     June 23^rd & 24^th Coming from the Cooperstown Brewery, Bambino Ale is an American Amber Ale with 5.5% alcohol by volume. Known for its caramel malty flavor, Bambino is a distinct, hoppy beer perfect for the summer season. Of course, baseball is in mid-season and what better time to enjoy a beer with a name like Bambino!

• June 23 ◦Wilton Market 32 (#39): 12-2 p.m.

◦Saratoga Springs (#158):  2:30-4:30 p.m. ◦Malta (#184):  5-7 p.m.

• June 24 ◦Shopper’s World Market 32 (#112): 12-2 p.m.

◦Market Bistro (#138): 2:30-4:30 p.m. ◦Bethlehem (#159): 5-7 p.m.     June 29^th, 30^th & July 1^st Switchback Ale is a reddish-amber ale from the Switchback Brewing Company in Burlington, Vermont. With the inclusion of five different malts, select hop varieties, and specially cultivated yeast it is a well-balanced, uniquely flavored beer. Switchback offers a bit of a fruity taste followed by a malty finish. Sample and enjoy this beer at our Growler Stations the following days:

• June 29 ◦Shopper’s World Market 32 (#112): 4-6 p.m.
• June 30 ◦Wilton Market 32 (#39): 3-5 p.m.

◦Malta (#184): 3-5 p.m. ◦Saratoga Springs (#158): 5:30-7:30 p.m.

• July 1 ◦Market Bistro (#138): 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

◦Bethlehem (#159): 2-4 p.m.   Cheers. As always, please enjoy responsibly!

June is I Love NY Brews Month at the growler station and we couldn’t be more excited! Throughout the month we will be featuring NY brewers at our growler stations. A number of different local beers will be available on tap throughout June, ready to be enjoyed. Swing by and discover new great tastes and experiences. The pour schedule is as follows below… June 4^th Part of Ommegang Brewery’s Game of Thrones lineup, Pale Sour is a perfectly balanced, extremely drinkable beer. Its golden color and brilliant white head display an accurate depiction of Pale Sour’s tasty blend of sour and sweet. With a drinking experience often compared to that of white wine, this beer offers a soft mouthfeel with a smooth finish. Due to its perfect balance, Pale Sour is an excellent complement to rich, fatty foods. Also featured on June 4^th are Shmaltz 518 IPA, Ellicottville Keepin It Peel IPA, Browns Crush Kolsch, Nine Pin Peach Tea Cider, and Southern Tier Lemon Drop Sun! June 11^th The Shmaltz 518/838 collection is a celebration of New York’s Capital Region’s history as well as its future. Shmaltz Brewing Company is toasting to the introduction of a new area code in the region, 838, while paying homage to the growth and development of the area under the old area code, 518. The 518 side of the series is an ale brewed with Peruvian coffee, with the addition of hints of chocolate and vanilla. The beer pours a light brown hue, blending the coffee and chocolate into a relaxed vibe. Also featured on June 11^th are Ommegang Game of Thrones Pale Sour, Ellicottville Keepin It Peel IPA, Browns Crush Kolsch, Bronx Summer, Saranca Strawberry Tart, Nine Pin Peach Tea Cider, and Southern Tier Lemon Drop Sun! June 18^th Saranac Strawberry Tart is a Wild American Ale brewed by Matt Brewing Company / Saranac Brewery in Utica, NY. A sweet and sour Berliner Weiss, Saranac Strawberry Tart offers tastes of wheat, lemon, and strawberry. It is a very drinkable, refreshingly tart ale, perfect for the summer! Also featured on June 18^th are Bronx Summer, Adirondack Easy Hike IPA, and Davidson I-87. June 25^th Brewed by the Adirondack Brewing Company, Easy Hike IPA is the ideal beer for all of the outdoor summer activities offered by the beautiful Adirondacks. It is a hoppy beer that uses Lemon Drop, Hallertau Melon, and Mandarina Bavaria to create a wonderful summer blend. Easy Hike, as its name suggests, is an easy, drinkable all day beer. Also featured on June 25h are Ommegang Witte, Cooperstown Bambino, Ithaca Hopkist, Saratoga Juicifier, and Davidson I-87 July 2^nd Ithaca Hopkist, coming from the Ithaca Beer Company, is a citrus IPA made for the hot summer months. It features a mix of Honey Malt, Citra hops, and citrus zest coming together for the perfect blend in the sweltering weather. Hopkist brings a smooth taste and an extra refreshing feel leaving you satisfied all season long. Also featured on July 2^nd are Ommegang Witte, Cooperstown Bambino, Saratoga Juicifier, Druthers, and Empire Peach Buzz. Cheers. As always, please enjoy responsibly!